Pianoforte



2 Sheets Sheet 1 Model.)

J- W. BRACKETT. PIANOPORTE.

N0. 484,403. Patented Oct. 18, 1892.

J, W. BRAGKETT.

PIANOFORTE No. 484,403. Patented Oct. 18, 1892.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN W. BRAOKETT, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

PlANOFORTE.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent N0. 484,403, dated October18, 1892. Application filed February 16, 1891. Serial No. 381,536. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN W. BRAoKETT, residing at Boston, in the countyof Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certainImprovements in Pianofortes,of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to pianofortes, especially to the tuning devices,their connection with the plate, the means for attaching the strings tothem, and to a novel method of grouping and holding them in place, bywhich I obtain the required draft upon the strings and in such a manneras to secure the strains through the axis of the tuning devices.

In the drawings, Figure 7 is a sectional view of that part of apianoforte-plate showing my invention. Fig. 5 is a face view of a partof a piano-plate, sounding-board, bridge, and strings. Fig. 6 is a topview of the rim of the plate shown in Figs. 5 and 7, showing thedistribution of the three series or lines of holes 1 2 3 for the tuningdevices or carries in regular groups Ct Z) c in lines across the rim.Fig. 8 shows in perspective a group of three devices or flat carriesside by side, showing the strings S S pulling from the top edges of thedevices, all in the same plane, as shown by 1 2 3 in Figs. 5 and 7.Figs. 9, 10, and 11 are views of forms of devices or carries shown withFig. 7. Figs. 2, 3, and 4 show modifications of the flat carries 9, 10,and ll, which I employ in another method of grouping, as shown in Fig.l. lrVith these modifications I secure the same results as described inconnection with Fig. 6. Fig. 1 shows the usual construction with thehitherto indispensable clamp N (which I aim to avoid) to hold the stringto the required bearing on the bridge 0 when the required stressfortunin g is applied.

In Fig. 7, A represents an iron plate of a pianoforte provided with asounding-board and bridges II and C, as usual. From the bridge O thehead of the plate has a curved and beveled offset, as shown at D,fromwhich the web B is inclined backward to run parallel with the requiredplane of draft of the strings S from the bridge O for the purpose ofretaining the required draft on the strings, all in the same plane,without the use of the agraifes, clamps, or other meansnow employed,(see Fig. 1,) also to givedirection to the tuning devices 1 2 3 forholding the strings S in precisely the same planes at all times, sincethe travel of the devices or carries in bringing the strings to therequired number of vibrations is always in the same direction parallelwith the web B. The thickness of the carries is precisely the same asthe distance between the strings used for one tone, and the strings pullin grooves located on the top edges of the carries,central therewith.The string ends of the carries are all the same width and in the sameplane. It follows that the pull is in direct lines in the same planes(it will be readilyseeu that the strings lie in two planes, one belowthe bridge O and the other above, as seen in Fig. 7 from thesounding-board bridge H to the rim F. The webl Fig. 7, is surmounted bya rim E F, running parallel with the curved lines of the bridge 0sufficiently distant to receive and house the devices 1 2 3. The front Eis for the three series or lines of holes parallel with the plane ofdraft of the strings in groups to receive the screw ends of the tuningdevices and to maintain them in the direct line of the draft of thestrings, the back part F to balance the plate in casting, the curved andarched line of the rim giving a graceful outline to the plate andgreatly improving the appearance of the instrument.

The object I aim at is simply and inexpensively to obtain perfect tuningand tone results in the pianoforte,andlaccomplish these results byhaving but one bearing O for the tuning ends of the strings instead oftwo or more, as is usual, (see 0 and N, Fig. 1,) by having the stringspull in direct lines, Fig. 5, in exactly the same planes, Fig. 7,without any foreign aids, as N, Fig. 1, and by having a uniform lengthof string, not to exceed one and one-half inches, between the bridge 0and the devices 1 2 3, Fig. 7. ThusI secureauniform amount of stress onthe string outside the Vibrating portion after the strings are broughtto the required pitch, also avoiding the different qualities of tone inthe strings of the same note and the consequent perplexities of tuningand the breaking of strings; and I obtain these results by theconstruction of the plate and the arrangement of the string tuningdevices and the method of arranging and grouping the devices andsecuring the strings to the same.

have a shoulder to rest upon.

Through the rim F are drilled as many holes as strings in the instrumentparallel with the plane of the draft of the strings and the web B. Intothese holes are inserted the screw ends of the devices, and the nuts 72are secured onto their ends. The holes are counterbored, so that theinner ends of the nuts Strings S are secured to the free ends of thecarries 1 2 3, and when they are strained up a direct pull in the sameplane from the bridge H is had to the rim F, it being of courseunderstood that the strings are secured to the hitch-pins h at the lowerend of the plate.

The tuning devices are made of fiat pieces of any suitable metal,preferably stamped out from rolled steel-plate, provided withscrewthreaded stems at one endthe string ends all of the same width, andprovided with means for securing and holding the strings in a centralposition thereto, as shown farther on. In- Figs. 2 and 9 I have shownthe strings S entering at the top edge of the carry and passing througha hole directly across the width of the same, then extending along theunder side thereof and terminating in a hole drilled nearly throughobliquely across the width toward the end of the carry. In Figs. 3 and10 the wire S is shown coming over the top of the carry and turning downthrough the slot 6 in its side, then coming forward and turning up theend thereof and terminating in a hole obliquely in its end. In Figs.etand 11 the wire S enters a hole in the end of the carry near the topedge, and, coming out at the bottom edgethereof, then enters andterminates in a holebehind the first obliquely toward the end. In all ofthese forms where the wire touches the edge of the carry a groove ismade in the edge of the carry centrally therewith of a size and depth toreceive andhouse the wire, and I make the wire secure centrally andinternally by having the end within the device and the final pulling ofthe strings secure from a bearing on an acute or sharp angled bearing,(see Figs. 2,3, 4, 9, 10, and 11,) and when the tension is applied thewire in all of its bearings is completely housed Within the outline ofthe carry and the strings all pull from the top edges of the carriesheld in groups and all groups in the same. common plane. The number ofgroups correspond to the number of notes or keys inthe instrument. I mayemploy other forms of devices with flat carries in which the wires aresecured internally and centrally therewith when constructed inaccordance with the spirit of my invention. I may apply any of theseforms of devices to other forms of instruments with metal strings.

When one string is used for atone, one line of holes is drilled inthe-rim F, Fig. 6, near the front, opposite to and in the same plane ofthe draft of the string S and parallel with the Web B to correspond withthe device Fig. 1, which has a screw-stem central with one side of thefiat portion of the carry and which is provided with means for holdingthe wires S. If two strings are used for a tone, the two lines of holesare drilled in the rim F, as 1 2, group b, Fig. 6, into which enter thescrew ends of the carries 1 and 2, (shown in Fig. 3,) constructed asshown in Figs. 9 and 10. The carry 2, Fig. 10, is offset near the middlelength from the screw-stem to bring the top edge in the same plane withthe carry 1. The two carries are placed to move side by side and areshown as group b, Fig. 6, and are seen as in l and 2 in Fig.8. If threestrings are used to form a tone, three lines of holes are drilled in therim F, as 1 2 3, Fig. 6, in a line across the rim obliquely, forminggroup 0. The holes are the same distance apart and in line with theholes of groups aand b. In this group three devices are used. 1 and 2are formed as shown in group b. 3 is formed as shown in Fig. 11, theoffset being twice as great as that of 2, Fig. 10, for the purpose ofbringing the carry in the same plane with 1 and 2. In this method ofgrouping the three carries are placed and moved close to each other andtheir offsets are in the same direction. In all of these groups a b cthe string ends of the carries are all the same width and are all placedin the same planes, and to maintain the several groups in their positionat all times I provide a grouping-bar L, Fig.

7, provided with as many slots as groups or notes in the instrument, theslots all of the same depth and sufficiently wide to admit of the freemovement of the carries.

Figs. 2, 3, and 4 show modified forms of devices. Fig. 1 shows themethod of grouping them to produce the same results as described in Fig.6. In this method of grouping I use one straight device for singlestrings,with the screw-stem central with the flat portion, as 1, Fig. 3.For two strings to the note I use forms 2 and 4, which are made withtheir offsets in opposite directions and are so used as shown in groupb, Fig. 1. If three strings are used for a tone, I use one straightdevice, Fig. 3, which enters the central hole 1 in group 0, Fig. 1. Theother two are as shown by 2 3, Figs. 2 and 4., 2 in Fig. 2 wit theoifset turned down and 3 in Fig. 4 with the offset turned up, theirscrew ends to enter, respectively, holes 2 and 3, as shown in group 0,Fig. 1. This method of grouping is used in construction of grandpianofortes without the use of agraffes.

I claim as my invention- 1. A pianoforte-plate A, having its head orportion above the bridge offset about an inch and at an angle(preferably about fifteen degrees) sufficient to house three series oftuning devices and obtain such bearing of the strings upon the bridge aswill retain them in position without clamping, substantially asdescribed.

2. A pianofort-e-plate A, having its head or portion above the bridgeoffset about an inch and at an angle (preferably about fifteen de grees)sufficient to house three series of tun- ICC ing devices and obtain suchbearing of the strings upon the bridge 0 as will retain them in positionwithout clamping and having its rim F running parallel with the bridgeand wide enough to receive three series of tuning devices and providedwith holes for the screw ends of said tuning devices, substantially asdescribed.

3. A screw tuning device for pianofortes,

' formed with a threaded stem and nut therefor extending by offset orflaring, according to the intended position, into a flat carry, whichcarry has a groove central with its upper edge from its free end to ahole drilled at right angles across the width of the carry and anothergroove central with its under edge to another hole drilled obliquelyfrom the stem end about half-way across the width of the carry, so thatthe wire shall be both securely fastened and wholly housed,substantially as described.

4:. The combination, in a pianoforte, of the slotted grouping-bar andtwo or more carries or tuning devices side by side in the same slot toaccord with the number of strings used to produce a tone, substantiallyas set forth.

5. In a pianoforte, the screw -tuning devices of equal Wid th at theirstring ends and having their string ends in a common plane, incombination with the plate A, having its head ofiset and rim Fperforated, as described, and with the grouping-bar L, substantially asdescribed.

6. In a pianoforte having screw tuning devices, the combination of theseries 1 2 8 of flat carries, the string ends of which are of the samewidth and offset by their screw ends to rest in groups in the samecommon plane, and means for securing the strings internally andcentrally within the carries,and means for obtaining the proper plane ofdraft of the strings without aids of any kind, substantially asdescribed.

7 In a pianoforte having screw tuning devices with screw stems and nuts,the combination of flat carries having the string ends all of the samelength to rest all in the same plane in groups, and means for retainingthem in position at all times, and means for securing the stringscentrally and internally within the carries, the screw ends offset tomeet the series of holes in the rim to correspond with the strings ingroups, the groups all in the plane of the draft of the strings, andwithout the use of clamps, substantially as described.

8. A pianoforte constructed with a metal plate whose head or portionabove the bridge is ofiset, as herein described, and having a rimperforated, as described, and adapted to receive and retain the screwends of the tuning devices, asupporting-bar recess to receive the stringends of the devices in proper series and groups and arranged parallelwith and about two inches from the bridge, and carrying devicesconstructed as described and lying all in a common plane, such that thestring thereto attached shall bear upon the bridge sufficiently for thedesired results without clamping, substantially as described.

9. In a pianoforte with screw tuning devices, the combination of flatcarries offset from their screw ends near the middle to bring theirstring ends, which are all of the same width, into one common plane andtheir screw ends to correspond with the method of grouping, as shown,with means for securing the strings centrally and entirely within thecarries, the strings to pull from the top edges of the carries and allarranged for the least possible length of wire between the bridge andthe carries, the carries in groups, and means for maintaining the groupsin position at all times, with wrest-pin-formed heads on their screwends for obtaining the desired tension on the strings, substantially asand for the purposes described and set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in thepresence of two subscribingwitnesses,this 12th day of February, 1891.

J. W. BRACKETT.

Witnesses:

Gno. WILLIs PIERCE, V. M. BERTHOLD.

